Review: ‘With Love to Obama’

A cute premise and an attention-getting title can't lend sophomore helmer Subhash Kapoor's "With Love to Obama" enough traction to overcome an uneven tone and an excess of bowel humor.

A cute premise and an attention-getting title can’t lend sophomore helmer Subhash Kapoor’s “With Love to Obama” enough traction to overcome an uneven tone and an excess of bowel humor. Tale of a bankrupt Indian emigre returning home and getting kidnapped by a hierarchy of gangsters plays broadly with stereotypes, spoofing the idea of the American success story but lacking the tightness to make this more than a forgettable diversion. Positive press at home following a December opening couldn’t completely overcome the nation’s wariness of low-budget affairs, though pic may prove popular with expats in ancillary.

The recession wipes out Indian-American businessman Om (Rajat Kapoor, the only non-caricature), so to forestall repossession, he goes back to India to sell the family manse. Gang leader Bhaisaab (Sanjay Mishra), thinking he can charge a huge ransom, has Om kidnapped by bungling, Obama-loving henchman Anni (Manu Rishi), only to learn the guy’s broke. Om suggests they maintain the myth of his wealth and sell him to more powerful gangsters. Good-natured ribbing, heavy on malapropisms, send up both India and America, but the aim is dulled by lowbrow farce. Visuals are standard.